Hailstorms can cause extensive vehicle damage in a matter of minutes, leaving anything from small dents to severe damage across multiple panels.
While you can't prevent a hailstorm, there are several things you can do to reduce the risk of hail damage to your car, particularly when severe thunderstorms are forecast.
1. Move Your Car Undercover
The most effective way to protect your vehicle from hail is to park it under a solid structure before the storm arrives.
Good options include:
A garage
Carport
Underground car park
Covered shopping centre parking
Other secure, permanent covered parking
If severe thunderstorms are forecast and your vehicle is normally parked outside, moving it undercover ahead of time can make a significant difference.
Avoid parking under trees during severe weather, as strong winds can bring down branches and create an additional risk of vehicle damage.
2. Pay Attention to Severe Weather Warnings
Being prepared is much easier when you know a storm is approaching.
Check weather forecasts and severe thunderstorm warnings when storms are developing around Sydney.
If large hail is forecast, moving your vehicle undercover before the storm reaches your area is safer than trying to relocate it once severe weather has already arrived.
3. Consider a Padded Hail Cover
If you regularly park outside and don't have access to covered parking, a purpose-designed padded hail cover may provide an additional layer of protection.
These are different from ordinary thin car covers. Hail covers generally use thicker or padded materials designed to absorb some of the impact from falling hailstones.
However, no car cover can guarantee protection against severe or very large hail, so permanent covered parking remains the better option where available.
4. Have a Hail Plan Before Storm Season
If you don't have a garage or carport at home, work out in advance where you could safely move your vehicle when severe hail is forecast.
This might be a nearby:
Underground car park
Covered shopping centre car park
Secure multi-storey car park
Having a plan means you don't have to search for shelter once a storm is already approaching.
5. Don't Put Yourself at Risk to Protect Your Car
If a severe hailstorm has already started, your personal safety is more important than preventing vehicle damage.
Don't run outside during large hail to cover or move your vehicle.
If you're driving when severe hail begins, concentrate on driving safely and follow official severe-weather advice rather than trying to protect the vehicle at the expense of your own safety.
6. Check Your Car Insurance
If hail is a concern, check your motor insurance policy so you understand what coverage you have before a storm occurs.
Hail damage may be covered under comprehensive motor insurance, but coverage, excesses, exclusions and claims procedures depend on your individual policy.
Check your Product Disclosure Statement or contact your insurer if you're unsure.
What Should You Do After a Hailstorm?
Once it's safe, inspect your vehicle carefully for damage.
Pay particular attention to:
Bonnet
Roof
Boot or tailgate
Guards
Doors
Quarter panels
Windscreen and other glass
Lights and exterior trims
Small hail dents can be difficult to see, so inspect the panels from different angles and look for distortions in the reflections across the paintwork.
If you're making an insurance claim, contact your insurer and follow the claims process required by your policy.
Can Hail Damage Be Repaired with PDR?
Many hail dents can be repaired using Paintless Dent Repair (PDR), also known as Paintless Dent Removal, when the damage is suitable.
Using specialist PDR tools and techniques, individual dents are carefully reshaped without fillers, sanding or repainting, helping preserve the vehicle's existing factory paint finish.
However, every hail-damaged vehicle needs to be assessed individually. The severity and number of dents, paint condition, affected panels and other factors can determine whether PDR is appropriate.
Hail Damage Repair in Sydney
Dentless Automotive provides professional mobile Paintless Dent Repair and Paintless Dent Removal throughout the Sydney area.
With 2,000+ vehicles repaired, we have experience repairing everything from individual dents to extensive hail damage.
Has your vehicle been damaged by hail? Complete our Get a Quote form and upload clear photos of the affected panels so we can assess whether the damage appears suitable for PDR.
